Sourdough Bagels Recipe

Title: Homemade Sourdough BagelsPreparation Time: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 12-16 hours (overnight rise)
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 13-16 hours
Yields: 8 bagels

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 1 cup active sourdough starter (fed and bubbly)
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 3 1/2 cups bread flour (plus extra for kneading)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

For Boiling:

• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon honey

Optional Toppings:

• Sesame seeds
• Poppy seeds
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Coarse salt

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough (Night Before):

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter, warm water, and honey. Stir until well-mixed.
• Add the bread flour and salt. Mix the dough until it starts to come together into a rough, shaggy mass.
• Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly stiff but still soft to the touch.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 4-6 hours, or until doubled in size.
• Once doubled, punch the dough down to release the gas and refrigerate overnight (8-12 hours).

2. Shape the Bagels (Next Morning):

• Take the dough out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 8 equal portions.
• Roll each portion into a ball, then poke a hole in the center using your thumb and gently stretch the dough into a bagel shape.
• Place the shaped bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with a towel, and let them rest for about 1 hour.

3. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a large pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil.

4. Boil the Bagels:

• Add the baking soda and honey to the boiling water.
• Gently place 2-3 bagels at a time into the boiling water and cook for 1 minute on each side. This step gives the bagels their classic chewy texture.
• Remove the boiled bagels using a slotted spoon and place them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Add Toppings:

• If desired, sprinkle your favorite toppings (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning) onto the bagels immediately after boiling while they’re still damp.

6. Bake the Bagels:

• Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown.
• Let the bagels cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information (per bagel):

• Calories: 240
• Protein: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 47g
• Fat: 1g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g

These Sourdough Bagels have a delightful chew and tang from the sourdough starter. They’re perfect with cream cheese, lox, or even just a bit of butter! The overnight rise brings out a depth of flavor that makes these bagels irresistibly delicious.